Udandapur reservoir: Jadcherla farmers protest for better compensation

Farmers and residents are demanding market value for parting with their lands for the construction of Udandapur reservoir

Mahabubnagar: Many farmers and residents in different hamlets (thandas) in Jadcherla mandal are up in arms against the Congress government over delay in payment of compensation. They are demanding increased compensation for parting with their lands for the construction of the Udandapur reservoir.

Due to the inordinate delay in extending fair compensation, farmers and land owners are obstructing the reservoir works. A few days ago, they even staged protests at the work site.

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The reservoir is being constructed with a capacity of 15.91 tmc under Jadcherla mandal. Accordingly, nearly 4,900 acres and over 2,850 structures, including houses, are getting affected in Vallur, Udandapur and five other thandas.

The farmers are demanding the government to increase the compensation. A few farmers and land owners have also approached court regarding fair compensation.

Earlier, the government had offered them a compensation package of Rs 5.5 lakh to Rs 6.5 lakh per family. Citing increased market value, farmers and land owners are demanding the compensation be increased to Rs 16.5-25 lakh.

Before the Assembly elections, Congress leaders had extended solidarity and assured them that the compensation would be increased. Even after the elections, local MLA J Anirudh Reddy had promised to take up the issue with the government and increase the compensation on a par with Polepally oustees. It has been a year and there is no word from Congress leaders and the government on this, farmers fumed.

Of the 1,950 structures identified for compensation, nearly 510 structures were offered over Rs 45 crore as compensation. The remaining structures have to be paid compensation and, accordingly, farmers and owners are demanding to expedite the compensation payment.

Unless the government offers fair compensation, works would be obstructed. A representation was also submitted to the District Collector in this regard, the land owners said.

The inordinate delay in payment of fair compensation is not only affecting the project works but also posing a threat to locals. On February 2, two children of a family had died after falling into the large pit dug up as part of reservoir works.